How to get to Lauterbrunnen
Getting to Lauterbrunnen is very easy. If you have your own vehicle, you will first pass through the town of Interlaken. From there, through the town of Wilderswil. You will later enter the valley which hosts Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald valleys. From Interlaken, it takes around 20 minutes by car to get there.
If you are going by public transportation, you must also go through Interlaken. Once you get off the train at the Interlaken Ost stop, follow the signs to the platform towards the train that travels to Lauterbrunnen.
Be careful because it is the same train that goes to Grindelwald until Zweislütschinen, where the train splits and heads in a different direction. On the platform you will see indicated in which part of the train you have to get on according to the destination. Your final stop will be Lauterbrunnen.
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Things to do in Lauterbrunnen
If it is true that the town of Lauterbrunnen is the main tourist attraction. However, it is possible to visit many other places that will equally impress you. Below you can see a list of everything to see in Lauterbrunnen and its surroundings. Let’s begin!
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1. The town of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
As I just mentioned, the very village of Lauterbrunnen is the most famous place in this valley. Its beauty lies especially in its wonderful nature, since the town is surrounded by green meadows, cliffs and waterfalls. Impossible to think of a more idyllic image, right? Just to get lost among its little streets, it is worth visiting the village.
Among its buildings, the church, whose roof stands out among the others, is the most emblematic place in the village. If you want to appreciate a very picturesque view of Lauterbrunnen, go to a place called “Staubbachfall Viewpoint”. It is a small cement path with a wooden railing from which you have a beautiful view. Don’t forget to visit the Staubbach waterfall, either.
2. Visit Wengen, one of the best things to do in Lauterbrunnen
One of the best things to do in Lauterbrunnen is to visit the small town of Wengen. The town is located on top of one of the slopes that surround the valley, exactly 400 meters above Lauterbrunnen. Therefore, you must take a cogwheel train to reach it. It is a very popular place both in summer and winter, as it has numerous ski slopes.
As it is not accessible by car, it is a very peaceful place to walk around. In addition, numerous hiking trails depart from Wengen, through which you can admire fascinating landscapes. From here, it is also possible to take a trip to Männlichen, where you can take the cable car.
3. Trümmelbach Waterfall
One of the best activities in Lauterbrunnen that I did not want to miss was visiting the Trümmelbach Falls. It is a huge waterfall that runs through the interior of the mountain. It is accessible through a tunnel and a footbridge dug next to the stream. This comes from the Jungfrau, the Mönch and the Eiger, the most important mountains in the region.
In the warmer months, with the melting of the snow and the glacier, or after great storms of water, up to 20,000 liters per second descend through the fall . Insane, right? This place can only be visited between April and November. If it is open during your trip, do not hesitate to go, since it is a very interesting and unique place.
4. Mürren, above Lauterbrunnen valley
We have reached the highest year-round inhabited mountain village in the canton of Bern. Mürren is a small Swiss town located at an altitude of 1,650 meters above sea level. It is the perfect starting point for different mountain routes or day trips to Birg and Schilthorn, places I will talk about below.
It is possible to get to Mürren in two ways. One of them is through the cable car that departs from Stechelberg, a small town located at the end of the valley. Another option is to take the cable car that goes from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp and then taking the train to Mürren. There is a lot to do, so feel free to dedicate a full day to it, especially if you are going on a day trip from here.
5. Day trip to Birg
If you like adventure, a visit to Birg is one of the coolest day trips you can do from Mürren. Birg is located between this town and Schilthorn. Here you will find an attraction called Skyline Walk. You will be able to walk on a glass and metal walkway built on the face of the cliff with a huge vertical drop under your feet.
Part of the route is on a glass floor, which will provide you with an extra rush of adrenaline. You will also be able to crawl through a metal mesh tunnel suspended in the air. Birg also has a viewing platform that offers splendid views of the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger. From here you can also see the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
6. Day trip to Schilthorn, one of the best things to do in Lauterbrunnen
Schilthorn is one of highest Jungfrau mountains and one of the most spectacular places to see in and around Lauterbrunnen. Its platform, located at an altitude of 2,970 meters, will allow you to have 360-degree views of the region. This place became especially popular thanks to one of the James Bond movies, as part of it was filmed here.
Be sure to eat at Piz Gloria, a restaurant in Schilthorn. It has to be incredible! To get there, once you are in Mürren, you will have to take the cable car to Schilthorn, passing through Birg.
You can book your cable car transfer from Schilthorn to a Stechelberg here.
💸 Many of these activities are included in the Jungfrau Travel Pass, a pass that gives you unlimited access to all means of transportation (trains, cable cars, boats, etc.) in Jungfrau.
7. Mürrenbachfall Waterfall
One of the most famous Lauterbrunnen waterfalls is Mürrenbachfall. As you can see from its name, this waterfall passes through the town of Mürren, from which it flows and reaches Stechelberg. This waterfall is most spectacular during spring and summer when the ice begins to melt, which consequently increases the amount of water that falls.
8. Visit Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe), one of the best things to do in Lauterbrunnen
Visiting Jungfraujoch, also known as Top of Europe, is one of the most impressive experiences you can have in this region of Switzerland. It is the highest train station in Europe. The station is located between the Jungfrau and Mönch peaks. Here you can have impressive views of the Aletsch Glacier and visit an ice palace, among many other things.
To get to Jungfraujoch from Lauterbrunnen, you will need to take the mountain train to Kleine Scheidegg. This also passes through Wengen. Then at Kleine Scheidegg, you will have to take the rack railway that goes directly to Top of Europe.
You can purchase your ticket to Top of Europe here. If you are going to go, in my article about Jungfraujoch, I give you all the information you need to know to prepare your visit.
9. Grindelwald
This is the town located in the valley next to the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Despite being very close, the landscape is quite different. Instead of cliffs and waterfalls, from Grindelwald you can see huge rocky mountains and snow-capped peaks. One of the most popular places to visit in the area is Bachalpsee Lake.
If you have enough time on your trip, do not hesitate to include this place in your Switzerland itinerary. Although first, discover all the places you can visit in Grindelwald.
10. Visit Interlaken, one of the best things to do in Lauterbrunnen
If you go to Lauterbrunnen, you will inevitably pass through Interlaken, the gateway to the Jungfrau Region. Its privileged location, between mountains and two huge lakes, make this town one of the greatest attractions in Switzerland.
Although the best of Interlaken are its surroundings, it is worth paying a visit to the town and enjoying some of its greatest attractions, among which are going up to the Harder Kulm viewpoint and bathing in Lake Brienz. Don’t miss out on everything you can do in Interlaken.
By the way, if you are going to visit both Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald, you should know that Interlaken is the perfect base to stay and go on day trips to both valleys. Visit my guide on where to stay in Interlaken if you are interested.
Best hotels in Lauterbrunnen
If you want to get to know the best of this part of Switzerland, it is advisable to spend several nights in the valley. Below I am going to recommend some of the best hotels in Lauterbrunnen.
– Valley Hostel ($). This hostel is probably the best option if your budget is not very high. They have shared, double, triple and family rooms. It also offers a garden and a shared kitchen. Another point in its favor is that it is very close to the Lauterbrunnen station.
– Camping Jungfrau ($$). Located very close to the Staubbach waterfall, this accommodation is perfect for those looking for a more rural experience. Apart from having spaces for tents and motorhomes, they offer double, triple and quadruple rooms and bungalows.
– Hotel Silberhorn ($$$). If you are looking for a more elegant place to stay, this 3-star hotel may be an ideal choice. The wooden decoration makes the rooms very cozy. It also has an alpine-style restaurant and great views.
Map of Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland
In the following map of Lauterbrunnen I have marked all the essential places to visit in the valley and its surroundings. I have also indicated the hotels that I recommend, with their respective links to Booking.
Do not miss my Switzerland travel guide if you are going to visit more parts of this incredible country.
I hope this article about the best things to do in Lauterbrunnen has been very useful for when planning your visit. If you have more questions or want to tell me about your experience in this destination, do not hesitate to leave a comment or email me. Enjoy your trip!
